The General Character and Appearance of the Harlequin Sheep

Harlequin sheep are known for easy handling and docile dispositions. They are nurturing mothers and often have multiple lambs. Their small size and easy keeping metabolism require less acreage per animal compared to other breeds.

HEAD The
characteristics of the head give each breed its individuality & uniqueness. The Miniature Harlequin is polled.
The head is medium length and moderately broad, but not so broad to be a birthing obstruction, and with medium
length.

MUZZLE & FACEThe muzzle and face should be moderate in width to ensure efficient grazing and moderate in length, straight to slightly dished but not Roman.

WOOLWool is of medium character.
Micron count ranges from 25- 35 microns and yearly staple length from 3”- 6”. The fiber is highly crimped. Some fleeces are open with luster and individual locks while others have a closed fleece that is shorter with less luster
and a disorganized crimp structure. The wool should be dense and consistent from the shoulder to the hip and as far back on the leg as possible. Fleeces are 4-8 lbs per year. Fleeces should not part along the back and
kemp should not be present. Quilting may be present and is not considered a fault. Harlequins are single coated. Wool is distinctly spotted.

EARSEars are of medium thickness, moderate in
length, level to the poll, proportionate to the head and preferably covered with wool.
Short rough hair is acceptable, slick ears are discriminated against. Black or brown-specked ear skin is common.

EYES​​​​​​​
Eyes
should large, bright, brown to yellow or even blue.

INCISOR TEETHIncisor teeth should meet the dental pad.

NECKNeck, wide at the base and laid well into the shoulders, with skin free of wrinkles.

CHESTWide
and deep.

SIZEMeasurements are at the shoulder and perpendicular to the ground on shorn sheep.
Harlequin Sheep should be under 24" tall at shoulder

COLORSHarlequins are known for varying patterns
of black and white spots as lambs maturing to cocoa brown, shades of white, gray and black.

Forequarters: Shoulders, Back and Loin

SHOULDERSShoulders should be well muscled, well laid into the ribs and level with the back. The width at the shoulders should be less than the width at the hips to facilitate easy lambing.

LOINThe
LOIN should be long, wide and thick.

RIBSThe ribs should be deep and wide, thick through the heart girth & well sprung

Hindquarters: Feet and Legs

Short to Medium length, straight legs should stand squarely at each corner. Rear legs should stand wide but squarely under the sheep with some angulations of the hocks and slight angulations of the pasterns.